Magnetic North Travel

Magnetic North planned a solo adventure for me through Finnish Lapland including a stay in a glass igloo, reindeer sledding, and a husky safari. Every single experience was exactly as described or better. The glass igloo had a heated mattress and we saw the Northern Lights from our bed. Communication from the agency was fast and friendly throughout the planning process. Already recommending them to everyone I know.

Mixed feelings about my trip to Alaska booked through Magnetic North. The bear watching float plane tour was genuinely spectacular and I have no complaints about that. However, the hotel they booked in Anchorage was rundown and the neighborhood felt unsafe at night. For the price I paid I expected better accommodations. The highlights were high but the lodging really dragged down the experience.

Went on the Magnetic North Iceland ring road tour and it was the best two weeks of my adult life. The group of 8 people became genuine friends by the end. Our guide Marcus was hilarious and knew every hidden waterfall and hot spring off the beaten path. The agency was also incredibly responsive when I needed to change my flight home due to a family situation. Five stars without hesitation.

Magnetic North helped me plan a custom trip to the Faroe Islands and I was genuinely impressed by how much research their travel consultant had done on such an obscure destination. She knew the best viewpoints, warned me about unpredictable weather, and even suggested packing tips I wouldn't have thought of. The trip itself was stunning. Minor hiccup with a ferry booking but it was resolved same day.

I paid a premium for what was described as a luxury Antarctica expedition but the ship was outdated and the cabins were cramped. The expedition team was knowledgeable but clearly underfunded. When I raised my concerns with Magnetic North before departure they assured me the vessel was first class. It was not. I feel the experience was misrepresented in the marketing materials and I'm considering a chargeback.

I've now booked three trips through Magnetic North and they keep getting better. This last one was a photography tour through Norwegian fjords and they paired us with a professional photographer who gave us nightly feedback sessions on our shots. The fjord light in June is unlike anything I've ever seen. My travel consultant remembered my dietary restrictions from two years ago without me having to mention them. That kind of service is rare.

I prepaid in full for a group tour to Svalbard that was cancelled six weeks before departure. I completely understand cancellations happen but getting my refund has been a nightmare. I've been waiting four months, made seven phone calls, and sent countless emails. I keep getting told the refund is processing. At this point I've filed a dispute with my credit card company. The lack of communication and accountability is shocking for a company at this price point.

Magnetic North organized a family trip for four generations of my family to visit Norway including my 78-year-old grandmother. They were so thoughtful about accessibility planning, making sure every excursion had options for different mobility levels. My grandmother rode a scenic railway through Bergen and said it was the best day of her life. Seeing her face was worth more than I can express. This agency truly cares about people.